Manchester United Join Race For Rakitic

Three Other Clubs Linked

Image: Oleg Dubina

Manchester United are one of a number of clubs keeping tabs on Ivan Rakitic’s situation at Barcelona.

The Croatia international has a contract at the Nou Camp that runs to 2021. But having made an agreement with Ajax to sign the Dutch side’s midfielder Frenkie de Jong at the end of the season, Barca could move on Rakitic to make way for the youngster. Barca have agreed to pay €75million (£65million) for de Jong plus another €11million (£9.5million) in add-ons and bonuses.

Rakitic could be sold to raise funds to offset the cost of de Jong and the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo believes Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are all monitoring any developments.

But Rakitic’s age is likely to be a problem for United. He turns 31 in April and at that age United tend to offer only one-year deals.

Barcelona would also expect a fee. The Croatian’s release clause stands at €125million (£109million) although the La Liga side would need to discount that figure by a huge amount before any of those four clubs consider making a move.